Woking Borough Council has today launched a consultation on whether the Pyrford Neighbourhood Area should have a Parish Council. The consultation web address is wokingsays.woking.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/pyrfordcgr
The page includes some excellent Frequently Asked Questions such as “What are the benefits of a parish council?”, “How are parish councils funded?” and “What relationship do parish councils have with church parishes?”.
Please visit the page and let WBC know your views.
Pyrford Neighbourhood Forum requested this Community Governance Review (CGR) in May 2025, following a vote at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
For more detail on the CGR please see pyrfordforum.org/should-pyrford-have-a-parish-council
Ken Swan says
I am genuinely puzzled as to why the PNF, in isolation, have decided to ask Woking BC to undertake a governance review focused solely on the current PNF area.. It seems inappropriate to do so at this point in time, when new governance arrangements are likely to be put in place, assuming the introduction of new unitary councils, in 2027.
The Pyrford NF area is not a discrete and separate place. It has boundaries that are contiguous with built up areas of West Byfleet and Maybury. Pyrford Polling District is much larger.
In terms of local governance and the possible introduction of local boards, I would expect the focus to be on larger areas. This is surely an unwelcome and unnecessary distraction for Woking BC.
Pyrford Neighbourhood Forum says
Thank you for your comment, Ken. The short answer is that the PNF only has the power to request a Community Governance Review (CGR) for their area. They cannot ask for a borough-wide CGR, for example. The best we could do was to request a CGR for the Pyford Neighbourhood Area.
There is a concern that when the unitary authorities are in place from April 2027, any area that does not have a Parish or Town Council will be at a disadvantage compared to areas in the new “West Surrey” authority that do. Parish councils can deliver local services to their residents, unparished areas cannot. Many unparished areas across Surrey are conducting CGRs at this time. Google “Surrey CGR” to see which ones.
Woking Borough Council has not decided whether or not to request a CGR for the whole borough, but I believe that it will be coming up at their Full Council meeting in December.
Roberta Pothecary says
I have completed the Pyrford community governance review consultation from WBC I have said NO to a Parish Council but the survey asks questions as if I had said Yes. What a rubbish survey. Presumably when published it will say answers in the positive were made when I had said NO!!
Pyrford Neighbourhood Forum says
Thank you for your feedback, Roberta. The whole consultation process, from initial design to final analysis, is managed by Woking Borough Council. Pyrford Neighbourhood Forum has no input at any stage. We initiated the process and are now simply encouraging people to complete the survey.
I would like to think that if someone says No to the first question then any subsequent answers would be ignored, but I cannot confirm that.
Roberta Pothecary says
I have said NO. Byfleet had a Parish Council which failed and was a waste of our hard earned money. Lets not waste any more
Roberta Pothecary says
As far as I am concerned I have answered the questions and repeat what I have already said NO
MR PAUL R BATTIE says
We do not need another layer of red tape. This will lead to another layer of possibilities towards misappropriation of funds and power by a few as demonstrated by officials of Government and Woking Borough Council. We do not need more tax, there is plenty of money available we just need to spend it the correct things.
No spending on foreign projects. We have our own water that needs cleaning. The NHS needs better efficiency.
No spending on ILLEGAL immigrants. We have our own homeless that needs helping.
No spending on arms. Conflict is yet another failure of Government to provide peace.